DALLAS, TX.- The Perot Museum of Nature and Science celebrates the breathtaking beauty of one of nature’s most captivating minerals in “Topaz: A Spectrum in Stone.” The Museum’s newest exhibit features over 100 exquisite topaz specimens from every corner of the world. Showcasing an array of brilliant colors and varied sizes, this magnificent global collection is the first assembled by Museum Director of Gems and Minerals Caroline Im.

“Topaz: A Spectrum in Stone” runs through October 14, 2025, in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall.

“This exhibit, my first at the Perot Museum, highlights the beauty and significance of topaz, especially Texas topaz, alongside other locations from around the world,” said Im, Director of Gems and Minerals since 2023. “Visitors will be captivated by the stunning range of colors, shapes, and sizes of this rare mineral, including the state gem with its distinctive ‘Lone Star Cut’, the only gemstone cut specific to any U.S. state.”

The one-of-a-kind collection displays the spectacular scope of crystal structures and colored stones within the topaz family, including:

● The Imperial Flame topaz: A magnificent 332-carat carving from Ouro Preto, carefully carved over four weeks, recognized as the largest and finest stone of its caliber in the world.

● A stupendous 9,630-carat marquise-cut gem from Brazil.

● The largest known “Lone Star Cut” in Texas topaz: a 234-carat gem featuring a five-point star carved into the pavillion, or bottom, of the stone, reflecting the state symbol through the gem.

● A 15-pound blue topaz from Brazil.

● Etched topaz showing intricate surface patterns due to the topaz being partially dissolved in hydrothermal fluids.

The exhibit celebrates the global discoveries of topaz from Texas, across America and worldwide including Pakistan, Argentina, Namibia, Brazil, Russia and many other countries. Like many of the gems and minerals at the Perot Museum, these specimens are on loan from generous and renowned private collectors throughout the world, willing to share their awe-inspiring specimens with the public. “Topaz: A Spectrum in Stone” includes New England minerals from both Im’s alma mater, Harvard University, and a treasure from the University of Texas, topping 900 carats. There’s also a selection of topaz crystals from Volyn, a renowned region in Ukraine, famous for its large caverns of massive topaz.

Blue topaz is the state gem of Texas and the Perot Museum highlights the Lone Star State’s geological discoveries. A variety of other colors can be found across the Lone Star State, including clear or white topaz–the most common color of the crystal.

Patrons can enjoy the great gamut of topaz specimens from around the world and admire their natural brilliance at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.